Lighting assembly with LEDs and four-part optical elements

• US 10,410,551 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2017
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Inventors: Auyeung, David Siucheong, Hall, William Y., Magarill, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US15/627,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20170287371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/006 for direct lighting only, e.g. task lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/00 Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting fixtures combined with outlets for air-treatment systems F24F13/078
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/15 Thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/503 of light sources cooling arrangements structurally associated with gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps H01J61/52; cooling arrangements structurally associated with electric incandescent lamps H01K1/58; cooling arrangements structurally associated with light-emitting diodes H01L33/64
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 : Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 : comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 : characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/16 : square or rectangular, e.g. for light panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0014 : at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 : refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 : the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0066 : in the form of an LED array
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 : Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 : electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 : Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0037 : supported by a post
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/005 : for orientation or public information
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 : with LEDs

Abstract

A lighting assembly includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a plurality of optical elements, each proximate an associated one of the LEDs. Each optical element includes a first portion, a second portion which intersects with the first portion, a third portion extending beyond a region between the first portion and the second portion in a direction away from the associated LED, and a fourth portion positioned proximate the respective LED below the first, second and third portions. The first and second portions are shaped such that at least one surface normal to the first portion intersects with at least one surface normal to the second portion.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illumination of an area, the lighting assembly comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); and

a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is proximate an associated LED of the plurality of LEDs;

wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion;

wherein the second portion of the optical element intersects with the first portion of the optical element in a region between the first portion of the optical element and the second portion of the optical element, wherein the first portion of the optical element and the second portion of the optical element are shaped so that at least one surface normal of the first portion of the optical element intersects with at least one surface normal of the second portion of the optical element and wherein the first and the second portions of the optical element are configured so that the light from the associated LED exits the associated optical element through the first and the second portions;

wherein the third portion of the optical element extends beyond the region between the first portion of the optical element and the second portion of the optical element in a direction away from the associated LED;

wherein the fourth portion is positioned proximate the respective LED, wherein the first, second and third portions are positioned above the fourth portion, the fourth portion having a first outer circumferential boundary enclosing a first surface adjacent the respective LED and a second outer circumferential boundary enclosing a second surface adjacent the first, second and third portions, the first outer circumferential boundary having a circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the second outer circumferential boundary; and

wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that light directed from the lighting assembly is directed in a manner that does not create hot spots or result in dead spots on an area being illuminated regardless of whether all of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs or some of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs are functional.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when all LEDs are operational the lighting assembly will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3:

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when some of the LEDs fail to be operational the apparatus will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3:

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that failure of one or more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs will cause an illumination level of light emitted from the lighting assembly to decrease while a uniformity of the light emitted from the lighting assembly remains substantially the same.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is separate from other optical elements of the plurality of optical elements.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of optical elements are part of a single substrate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to simultaneously direct light with a substantially rectangular wavefront from each of the optical elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to illuminate an area having a width of 24 feet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the area comprises a display surface of a billboard.

10. An apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illumination of an area, the lighting assembly comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); and

a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is proximate an associated LED of the plurality of LEDs, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements comprises;

a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a third side perpendicular to the first side and the second side,

a first portion disposed at the first side,

a second portion disposed at the second side,

a third portion disposed at the third side, and

a fourth portion beneath the first, second and third portions;

wherein the third portion beyond the first portion and the second portion in a direction away from the associated LED of the plurality of LEDs,

wherein, in the direction away from the associated LED, the first portion includes a first convex outer surface and the second portion includes a second convex outer surface different than the first outer convex surface, and

wherein the first convex outer surface has a first peak at a first distance from a point on the associated LED and the second convex outer surface has a second peak spaced from the first peak, the second peak being at a second distance from the point on the associated LED;

wherein the first convex outer surface and the second convex outer surface connect at a connection region that is at a third distance from the point on the associated LED, wherein the third distance is shorter than the first distance as well as the second distance;

wherein the fourth portion has a first outer circumferential boundary enclosing a first surface adjacent the respective LED and a second outer circumferential boundary enclosing a second surface adjacent the first, second and third portions, the first outer circumferential boundary having a circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the second outer circumferential boundary; and

wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that failure of one or more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs will cause an illumination level of light emitted from the lighting assembly to decrease while a uniformity of the light emitted from the lighting assembly remains substantially the same.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that light directed from the lighting assembly is directed in a manner that does not create hot spots or result in dead spots on an area being illuminated regardless of whether all of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs or some of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs are functional.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when all LEDs are operational the lighting assembly will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3:

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when some of the LEDs fail to be operational the apparatus will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3:

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is separate from other optical elements of the plurality of optical elements.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein all of the plurality of optical elements are part of a single substrate.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to simultaneously direct light with a substantially rectangular wavefront from each of the optical elements.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to illuminate an area having a width of 24 feet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the area comprises a display surface of a billboard.

19. An apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illumination of an area, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); and

a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is proximate an associated LED of the plurality of LEDs;

wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes;

a first element;

a second element that intersects with the first element in a region between the first element and the second element, wherein the first element and the second element are shaped so that at least one surface normal of the first element intersect with at least one surface normal of the second element;

a third element extending beyond the region between the first element and the second element in a direction away from the associated LED; and

a fourth element positioned proximate the respective LED, wherein the first, second and third elements are positioned above the fourth element, the fourth element having a first outer circumferential boundary enclosing a first surface adjacent the respective LED and a second outer circumferential boundary enclosing a second surface adjacent the first, second and third portions, the first outer circumferential boundary having a circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the second outer circumferential boundary; and

wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when all LEDs are operational the lighting assembly will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3;

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that light directed from the lighting assembly is directed in a manner that does not create hot spots or result in dead spots on an area being illuminated regardless of whether all of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs or some of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs are functional.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that when some of the LEDs fail to be operational the apparatus will illuminate an area with a uniformity that achieves a 3:

1 ratio of average illumination to minimum illumination across the area.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured so that failure of one or more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs will cause an illumination level of light emitted from the lighting assembly to decrease while a uniformity of the light emitted from the lighting assembly remains substantially the same.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is separate from other optical elements of the plurality of optical elements.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein all of the plurality of optical elements are part of a single substrate.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to simultaneously direct light with a substantially rectangular wavefront from each of the optical elements.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to illuminate an area having a width of 24 feet.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the area comprises a display surface of a billboard.